Tuft cutting mechanism



y 16, 1933- H. L. SHUTTLEWORTH 1,909,132

TUFT CUTTING MECHANISM Filed March 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MEI'SNZOR 2 $06 M 210% ATTORNEY;

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. L. SHUTTLEWORTH TUFT CUTTING MECHANISM Filed March 17,

May 16, 1933.

1;; the knives cooperate toshear the yarns.

Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics- HOVARD L. SHUTTLEWORTH, OF AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MOHAWK CARPET MILLS, INC., AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TUFT CUTTING MECHANISM Application-filed March 17, 193 2. SerialNo. 599,388.

T his invention relates to looms for weaving pile fabrics, such as those of the Axminster type, and is concerned more particularly with a novel mechanism to be used in such looms forcutting the yarns forming'the pile tufts.

Looms for weaving tufted pile fabrics by,

operations which involve inserting the tufts in rows across the fabric include means for cutting or shearing the pile yarns from their sources of supply, and the cutting devices now commonly employed are of two types; One form of cutting mechanism severs the yarns before they are inserted between the warp threads of the fabric, while the other form functions after the yarns have been inserted and bound in place. Both forms of cutting mechanism are open to serious objections, and nterfere to a considerable extent with increasing the speed of production of, the loom.

In looms in which the pile yarns are out after they have been inserted in the fabric, the cutting device usually includes inner and outer cutting blades mounted on bars extending across the loomand lying on opposite sides oftho inserted row of'tufts. At the proper instants in the operation of the loom, these bars are moved toward each other by suitable means, such as cams and levers, ailid n order that the knives may cut properly, they must bear against each other with substantial pressure, and unless the bars are strong and of heavy rigid construction, there is a 1 danger, particularly in wide looms, that the bars will spring or bend, and thereby impair the cutting action. Devices of this type consume a substantial amount of power both in the movement of the bars and in the actual cutting action, and the movement back and forth of these large masses, particularly in wide looms, causes excessive vibration, reduces the smoothness of operation, and pre vents operating the loom at high speeds.

Also, the cutter blades have to be removed from the loom from time to time to be resharpened, and this represents a loss in time and productivity of the loom.

i In looms in which the pile yarns are severed before the tufts are inserted, tuft grippers draw the yarns between the teeth of a comb during each cycle of loom operation, and the yarns are then cut by one or more long stroke cutting knives which are'traversed along the face of the comb. The operations incidental to the cutting of the yarns in this manner, and especially the movement of the knives, consume a cosiderable proportion of each loom cycle and the operationof the loom is correspondingly slowed down. In additiomsuch cutting devicesrequire complicatedand bulky actuating mechanism consuming a substantial amount of power, and the entire cutting mechanism seriously interferes with speeding up the loom to Increase lts output. a

The present invention is accordingly directed to the provision of new cutting mechanism for the purpose referred to, which is an lmprovement over those heretofore used, in that it is slmpler and of lighter weight, may be operated at higher speeds, functions withoutundue vibration, permits the production of fabrics of shorter tuft length, and is cheaper and easier to maintain in proper operating condition. i

The new mechanism includes a plurality of small cutting blades removably mounted 1n holders in an endless trav-elingmember, such as a chain driven by suitable driving means. The traveling member is carried on a movable support which lies at one side of the row of inserted tufts, and on the other side of the row is a back member which provides support to the yarns during the cutting operation. The movable support and the back member, both of which are of relatively light weight, are caused to approach and recede from one another by suitablemeans, and at the proper instants in the operation of the loom and upon the insertion of each row of tufts, the support and back member advance toward the yarns, and the knives on the traveling member sever the yarns while they are engaged and supported by the back member. The support and back member are then retracted and the operation of the loom proceeds.

Since the new mechanism is of relatively light weight, and the cutting operation is performed by it in a very short period of time, it can be actuated at high speeds. Also, it functions without substantial vibration and the mechanism severs the tufts evenly and can be adjusted to produce much shorter tufts than is possible with the devices now used. The knives employed are preferably of the wafer type, resembling razor blades, and as the dull knives may be quickly removed from their holders, and new ones as quickly inserted, the loss in productive loom time caused by the maintenance of the cutting mechanism is materially reduced.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of an Axminster loom embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the cutting mechanism showing the parts in position to cut the yarns;

Fig. 3 is a view of the cuttingmechanism in front elevation;

Fig. 4; is a plan view of the cutting mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a detail of the cutting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the cutting mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an end view of a knife holder, and

Fig. 8 is a side view of a portion of a knife holder.

In the drawings, there is conventionally illustrated a loom 1O pr rided with transporting chains 11 on which tube frames 12 are carried, the frames being advanced successively to a point above the weaving devices where a transfer mechanism which includes a pair of arms 12 picks up each frame and lowers it to insert the ends of the yarns wound on the spool in the frame between the warp threads of the fabric. Upon insertion of the yarns, a shot of weft is introduced into the fabric, the ends of the yarns are looped about the weft shot in the usual way, and the yarns are severed between the fabric and the spool to produce tufts of the proper length.

The new mechanism used for severing the yarns comprises a bar 13 attached by means of brackets 1% to the ends of arms 15 fast on. shaft 16 journaled in hearings on the loom side frames 1?. Mounted on the shaft 16 is an arm 18 to which. is attached one end of a spring 19, the other end of which is 'ecured to a bracket 20 attached to any suitable part of the loom. The spring acting through arm 18 tends to rock the shaft to swing the arms 15 in a. counter-clockwise direction, this movement being limited by means of a stop 21 against which the arms normally hear. The shaft 16 and arms 15 are rocked clockwise by means of an. arm 22, also fast on shaft 16, which is attached by a link 23 to one arm 24 of a bell crank pivotally mounted in bearings in a bracket 25 attached to a suitable part of the frame of the loom. The other arm 26 of the bell crank carries a roller 27 at its end which is engaged by a cam 28 mounted on the cam shaft 29 of the loom. As the cam rotates during the operation of the loom, the cam acts through the bell crank and the connections described. to cause arms 15 to advance the cutting mechanism to operative position, this action being tin'ied to occur after the tufts are formed.

The pile yarns wound on the spool in a tube frame out through guide tubes 30 on the frame and when the ends of the yarns are inserted between the warp threads and a shot of weft is introduced into the fabric, the yarns are held at one point by the shot of Weft and extend baekwardly from that point through the tubes to the spool. When the cutting mechanism now moves into contact with the yarns, some support for the yarns on the side opposite to that from which the cutting mechanism approaches is desirable, so that the cut will be clean rather than ragged. This support may best be afforded to the yarns just above the point of cutting and such support also serves to keep the cut ends in line with the guide tubes so that the ends are straight for the next insertion of the yarn in the Warp.

The back support or guide in the new moon.- anism takes the form of a plate 31 of suitable light material mounted to reciprocate in slots 32 in brackets 33 attached to the loom frame. In a loom in which movable shearing knives have been used, the back support may be mounted in the usual ha ck knife slides and operated by the mechanism employed for reciprocating that knife. .11. s mechanism includes pins 34.- on the back support, each pin being connected by a rod. 35 to one arm 36 of a bell crank pivotally mounted at :37, the other arm 38 of the bell crank carrying a roller 39 which is acted upon by a cam ill on the cam shaft of the loom. Each hell crank is normally held a ainst a stop ii-l by a spring 4-2 attached at one end to the bel crank and at the other to a suitable part of the loom side frame, and the cam 4.0 is so formed that at the proper instant in the operation of the loom when the cutting or" the tuft yarns is to be performed, the bell cranks are rocked. advancing the hack support 31 so that its 'l'm'ward end engagjges the yarns.

The bar 13 of the cutting mecl'ianism is provided. at one end with a bearing 413 for a shaft 44 which carries a sprocket wheel 45 and at the other end of the bar with a hearing 46 for a shaft 47 cmrying sprocket wheel. 48. The shaft 4:? extends through its bearing and on its exposed end carries a hovel gear 19 meshing with a gear 50 on the end of shaft 51 journaled in bearing 52. the shaft being driven by any suitable means, such as a flexible shaft 53, which shaft may be connected'to the. driving means for the 100K130! to a separate driving means, such; as an elec I tric motor. "A chain 54 is led around sprocket wheels 455 and48 and knife holders 55 are mounted on this chain at suitable intervals.

Each knife holder has a portion 56ofl'set from theplane of the chain and extending outward beyond the chain a substantial; distance, the

ii? blade has a projection 60 extending outward from its'base at one end, the proportions of the parts being such that :theknife may be inserted freely in the slot and then moved endwise so that the projection 60 lies under an overhanging portion at one end of the slot and the pointed end of the knife lies under an overhanging portion at the other end of the slot.

the locking position: shown in Fig. 8 and cannot escape from their holders.

To maintain the chain taut, the bar 13-is provided; at each end with adjustable bearings61, 62 attached to the bar by bolts 63.

which passthrough slots in the bar. ,In each of the bearings 61' and 62 are shafts 64 carrying idler sprocket wheels 65 which bear against the chain and may be adjusted to keep it as taut as desired. Since the knives should move in a straight line during the cuttingoperation andthus cut the tufts at auniform height, the bottom portion of the chain which carries those knives whichtake part in the actual cutting operation; is guided so that it :will not sag, and for this purpose a bar 66 is attached to the angle portion 67 of bar 13, the bar 66 having a portion 68 which underlies the lower stretch'of the chain and terminates in an upstanding flange 69,

the upper surface of which is machined and provides a support for the chain. Means are provided for maintaining the chain in close contact with the surface of flange 69, the

I 3 means including a channeled ,bar 70 detachably connected to bar 66 and lyingabove the chain with the channel facing the chain; In

the channel is disposed a vertically movable bar 71 whichbears against the chain and is forced into contact therewith by leaf springs 72 secured in the bottom of the, channeland bearing against the upper surface of bar 71. With this arrangement, the lower stretch of the chain which carries the knives which perform the cutting action at any instant issupported on the machined surface of flange 69 and is held in contact with that surface by the bar 71 resiliently forced against the chain.

In the operation of the device, the. arms 15 vwhich'may constitute the front: knifesup- In normal operation, the movement of the chain is suchthat the knivestend. to be forced by contact with the yarns" into ports's ofi an ordinary" tuft" shearing' mechanism are swung to'a'dvance'the new cutting mechanismtoward the yarns which ane-to be cut. At the sametime, the back support 31 is advanced sov that its forwardedgeen-..

gagesthe yarn: above the points where the cutting is to take place. The chain on-which the knife blades are mounted always runs .in thesame direction and'with either a continuous or intermittent movement. As the cutting .meehanism approaches theuyarns, the blades 'in'the holders on the lower stretch of the chain eventually come into contact with and sever the yarn ends. Since. the blade holders 57 are inclined at an angle to the plane'of'movement of :the chain andv these holders lie at a substantial distance beyond and at one side of'the chain, the knives can bebrought down: close tofthe plane of the fabric so thatthe pileof the fabric is very short, the new mechanism. permitting/the tufts .to be." cut much more closely thanispos sible with the types of cutting mechanism heretofore used.

The total weight of the cutting mechanism is much. less'than that of the-reciprocating front knife of the shearing type of cutting, mechanism andthe new mechanism can, therefore, be.operated at higher speeds without producing unduevibration. By reason of .the manner-imwhich; the cutting'blades are supported,.the pile is cut uniformly across the fabric re rdless of the width of the loom and no ifliculties are encountered due to sagging orbendingas in the caseof the shearing knives. Also, the smallknife blades combination of means: for inserting in they fabric pile yarns drawn from a source of supply, and means for severing said. yarns between the fabric and the. source of supply, said severing means comprising an endless traveling member moving continuously in one direction and knives carried thereby, said memberand knives lying at. one'side of.the group of yarns to be cut, and a. support onrtlie other side of the group of yarns for holding them while they are beingcut'.

2. In a loom. for weaving. pile fabrics, the combination of means for'inserting in the fabric pile'yarns drawn fromasource of supply,..and means for severingsaidryarns between the fabric and the source of supply,

said severing means comprising an endless traveling member moving continuously in His i operative position.

3'. In aloom for weaving pile fabrics, the combination of means for inserting'in the fabric pile yarns drawn from a source of sup ply, and means for severing said yarnsbetween the fabric and the source of supply, saidsevering means comprising an endless traveling member carrying knives, said member and knives lying on one side of the group of yarns to be cut a mounting for the mem-.

ber, means for advancing and retracting said mounting to move the knives into and out of operative position, and a support on the other side of the group of yarns for holding them while they are being cut..

4. In a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the combination of means for inserting in the fabric pile yarnsdrawn from a source of supply, and means for severing said yarns be tween the fabric andthe source of supply, said severing means comprising an endless traveling member moving continuously in one direction and carryingknives, and a swinging mounting "for member, said mounting moving the knives into and out of 5. In a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the COlllblllfttiOll O'f means for inserting in the fabric pile yarns drawn from a source of supply, means for severing said yarns be- 5 tween the fabric and the source of supply,

said severing means connprising an endless traveling member moving continuously in one direction and carrying knives, said member and knives lying atone side of the group of yarns to be cut and means lying on the other side of the group of yarns and engageable with said yarns for supporting them while they are being cut.

6. In a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the

combination of means for inserting in the fabric pile yarns drawn from a source sup- ,ply, means for severing said yarns between the fabric and the source of supply, said sevbring means comprising an endless traveling member moving continuously 111 one direction and carrying knives, said member and knives lying atone side of the group of yarns to be cut and a mounting for the member movable to bring said knives into and out of operative position, and means lying on the other side of the group of yarns and engageable with said yarns for sup iiortiug them. while they arebeing cut.

7. In a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the combination of means for inserting in the fabric pile yarns drawn from a source of supply, and means for severing said yarns between the fabric arul the source of supply, said means comprising a pan of elements on opposite sides of said yarns movable toward and away from each other and said yarns,

one element including an endless traveling :membercarrying knives and the other including a support for said yarns while they are being cut.

ling toward and away from 8. In a loom for weaving pile fabrics, the combination of means for inserting in the fabric pile yarns drawn from a source of sup-- ply, and means for severing said yarns between the fabric and the source of supply, said means comprising a pair of elements on opposite sides of said yarns movable toward and away from each other and said yarns, one element including an endless traveling member carrying knives anda movable mounting; for said member,.the other element including support for said yarns while they are being cut.

9. In a cutting mechanism for severing oilo yarns drawn from a source of supply and ted in a row into a. fabric, the combination of a mounting, an endless traveling mcmber on so dmounting, means for moving said iouuting toward and away from said yarns, meai'ls for advancing said member, and knives carried by said men'iber continuously in one direction.

10. In a cutting mechanism for severing pii yarns drawn from a source of supply and ii rtcd in a row into a fabric, the combination of a mounting, a. plurality of knives can vied by said mounting and movable through a closed path, means for moving said mountsaid yarns, and means for moving said knives continuously in one direction through their path of travel.

1]. In a cutting mechanism for severing pile yarns drawn from. a source of supply and inserted in a row into a fabric, the combina tion of a plurality of knives, and means for moving said lmi continuous y in one direction through a closed path and for shifting said path to bring said knives into and out of operative position.

In a cutting meclmnism for severing pile yarns drawn from a. source of supply aiul inserted in a row into a fabric, the combination of an endless member knives on said member, means for driving said member continuously in one directioi'i, and means for moving said member bodily to bring said liinives into and out of operative position.

In a cutting mechan m for severing urns drawn from a source of supply and rd in a row into a fabric, the combinaof amounting, an endless traveling member on said mounting, said member carrving :1 plurality of knives having their cuttin ulgcs lying beyond id member, means for driving said member continuously in one dirmztion, means for moving said mounting to bring said knives into and out of opera five posit" in, said member and knives lying at one side of the cup of yarns to be cut, and a mport on the other side of the group of ya us for holding them while they are beng cut. I

14-. Ina cutting morhanism for severing pile jams drawn from a source of supply andinserted in a row into a fabric. the combination'of an endless member traveling substantially in a plane, a plurality of knives mounted on said member and having cutting edges lying beyond said member, said member and knives lying at one side of the group of yarns to be cut, means for driving said member, means for shifting said member bodily to bring said knives into and out of cutting position, and a support on the other side of said group of yarns for holding them While they are being cut.

15. In a cutting mechanism for severing pile yarns drawn from a source of supply and inserted in a row into a fabric, the combination of an endless member, a plurality of knives mounted on said member and having cuttingedges lying beyond said member, said member and knives lying at one side of the group of yarns to be cut, means for guiding a portion of said member in a straight line, means for driving said member, means for moving said member toward and away from said yarns to bring said knives into and out of operative position, and a support on the other side of said group of yarns for holding them While they are being cut. 16. In a cutting mechanism for severing pile yarns drawn from a source of supply and inserted in a row into a fabric, the combination of a mounting, an endless traveling member on said mounting, means for guiding a portion of said member in a straight line, means for driving said mem ber continuously in one direction, a plurality of knives carried by said member and. having cutting edges lying beyond said member, and means for moving said mounting to bring the knives on the guided portion of said member into and out of operative position.

17. In a cutting mechanism :for severing pile yarns drawn from a source of supply and inserted in a row into a fabric, the combination of a bar movable laterally, an endless member mounted on. said bar and having a stretch traveling lengthwise of the bar, knives carried by said member and having cutting edges lying beyond it, said member and knives lying on one side of the group of yarns to be cut, means for driving said member. means for moving said bar laterally to bring said knives into and out of cutting position, and a support on the other side of the group of yarns for holdingthem while they are being cut. a I

18. In a cutting mechanism for severing pile yarns drawn from -a source of supply and inserted in a rowinto a fabric, the combination of an endless member. a plurality of holders attached thereto, each holder having a knife detachably mounted thereon, and means for driving said member continuously in one direction.

19. In a cutting mechanism for severing pile yarns drawn from a source of supply and inserted in. a row into a fabric, the combinaholders attached thereto, each holder having a slotted portion, a knife detachably mount- 7 ed in each slot, and held in place by over-i,

hanging portions of the Wall of the slot, and means for driving said member continuously in one direction.

20. In a cutting mechanism for severin pile yarns drawn from a source of supply an inserted in a row into a fabric, the combination of a mounting, an endless chain on said mounting, means for driving said chain continuously in one direction, means for guiding a portion of said chain to move ina straight line, holders attached to the links of the chain and extending beyond said chain, a knife in each holder, said knives in the guide portion of said chain having their cuttin edges in a plane, and means for moving sai mounting to bring the knives in the guided portion of said chain into and out of operative position. a

21. In a cuttingmechanism for severing pile yarns drawn from a source of supply and lying in a row, the combination of a plurality of knives, a mounting for said knives, said mounting and knives lying at one side of the group of yarns'to be cut, means for moving said knives along said rovv'of yanns, a support lying at the other side of the group of yarns for holding them While they are bea HOWARD L. SHUTTLEWORTH. 

